The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
